Fort Lupton, Colorado
Nestled in Weld County, Colorado, stands the story of Fort Lupton, a trading post with a rich history dating back to 1836. Originally known as Fort Lancaster, it was established by Lancaster P. Lupton, a man whose life was as colorful and complex as the frontier he inhabited. The narrative of Fort Lupton is intertwined with fur trading, Native American relations, military service, and the relentless pursuit of opportunity that defined the American West.
The man behind the fort, Lancaster Platt Lupton, was born in New York on September 21, 1807. His father, William Lupton Jr., was a lawyer in New York City, and his mother was Julia Townsend. Lupton’s early life took a distinct turn when he attended the prestigious West Point Military Academy, graduating in 1829. He then entered military service, rising to the rank of first lieutenant. His experience as a member of Colonel Henry Dodge’s Expedition in 1834-35 proved pivotal. As the expedition traversed the South Platte Valley, in what would later become Colorado, Lupton recognized the potential for a successful trading post.
However, Lupton’s military career was not without its challenges. He was described as a "pleasant, well-informed little man" but also as someone prone to intemperance. His outspoken nature led to trouble when he criticized President Andrew Jackson at a dinner party, resulting in the threat of a court martial. He resigned his commission, with his commanding officer attributing his difficulties to "the intemperate use of ardent spirits."
Despite these setbacks, Lupton remained determined to pursue his vision in the West. With financial backing from Hiram Rich, a trader from Liberty, Missouri, he returned to Colorado in 1836 to construct his trading post. He selected a location along the South Platte River in northeastern Colorado, approximately seven miles south of Fort Vasquez, another established fur trading post. In the same year, Lupton married the daughter of an Indian Chief named Thomas, forging a lasting connection to the local Native American community. The couple had eight children together, and unlike many other fur traders of the time, Lupton remained with his wife for the rest of his life. The story of Fort Lupton is incomplete without acknowledging Lupton’s family and his commitment to them.
Lupton’s trading post began modestly as a simple log shelter. Recognizing the need for a more substantial structure, he hired skilled craftsmen and laborers from Taos, New Mexico, to construct a large two-story adobe fort. This new fort was modeled after Bent’s Fort, located further south. Estimated to be approximately 125 feet by 150 feet, its walls stood 15-18 feet high, providing a formidable defense. A circular tower adorned the northwest corner, rising above the walls, while a bastion with portholes was strategically placed on the opposite corner. The fort also included essential amenities such as living quarters, a kitchen, a blacksmith area, a trading room, a corral, and storage rooms. This carefully planned design reflected the importance of security, commerce, and self-sufficiency in the harsh frontier environment.
By 1837, Fort Lupton had become a hub for trade with the Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes of the region. The fur trade was booming at this time, and two more forts, Fort Jackson and Fort St. Vrain, were soon established along the South Platte River along the Trapper’s Trail to the north. This trail connected Fort Laramie in Wyoming to the Arkansas River and the Taos Trail in New Mexico. However, the shallow nature of the South Platte River presented logistical challenges. Transporting trade goods by water was impractical, forcing traders to rely on overland routes to supply the fort and transport furs to Independence, Missouri. To mitigate these costs, Lupton sought to make the trading post as self-sufficient as possible by cultivating a large garden and raising livestock.
Around 1840, Lupton expanded his operations by establishing another fur trading post in Wyoming, called Fort Platte. Situated on the North Platte River, about a mile from the well-established Fort Laramie, Fort Platte helped ease Lupton’s supply problems. Goods could be transported up the North Platte River to Fort Platte and then packed overland to Fort Lupton. This strategic move demonstrated Lupton’s entrepreneurial spirit and his ability to adapt to the challenges of the fur trade.
However, the fortunes of the fur trade began to decline in the early 1840s. Fort Jackson was abandoned in 1838, and Fort Vasquez followed suit in 1842. That same year, Lupton declared bankruptcy, resulting in the sale of Fort Platte to Pratte and Cabanne. Fort Lancaster became the property of Hiram Rich and his partner, Albert G. Wilson, who were postmasters and merchants at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Wilson arrived in the West the following year, taking control of Fort Lupton and establishing another trading post below Bent’s Fort on the Arkansas River, known as "Wilson’s Houses."
During this period, Lancaster Lupton continued to trade at Fort Lupton, but his relationship with Wilson was strained. After a serious disagreement and a harsh blizzard that temporarily closed the fort, Lupton and his family departed in December 1844 and settled in Hardscrabble, Colorado.
Shortly after Lupton’s departure, Hiram Rich and Albert G. Wilson closed the post. Despite its relatively short lifespan, Fort Lupton played a significant role in the history of the region. Renowned figures such as Rufus Sage, Kit Carson, and John C. Fremont visited the trading post during its heyday.
Lupton remained in Hardscrabble, managing the trading post there during its final years. When news of the California Gold Rush reached him, he and his family joined the throngs of gold seekers and headed west in 1849. Six of their eight surviving children were primarily raised in Humboldt County, California. Lancaster Lupton died on October 1, 1885, and was buried at the Blue Lake Cemetery in Humboldt County, California. His wife passed away seven years later and was laid to rest beside him.
In the meantime, Fort Lupton was abandoned and used as a temporary shelter by travelers passing through the region. From 1845 to 1859, it served various purposes, including an overland stage station during the Colorado Gold Rush and the Civil War, and a temporary U.S. Army detachment camp in 1864. Later, it was used as a private home, the headquarters for a ranch, and, as the structure deteriorated, as a corral for livestock. By the 1920s, only a single wall of the original fort remained, a silent testament to its past glory.
In 2003, the South Platte Valley Historical Society embarked on an ambitious project to reconstruct Fort Lupton. Using some of the original adobe bricks and a portion of an original wall located several hundred feet south of the presumed original site, they began the painstaking process of rebuilding the fort. The reconstructed fort opened to the public in September 2011 at the South Platte Valley Historical Park. In addition to the fort, the park features an old schoolhouse and a homestead from the gold rush era, providing visitors with a glimpse into the diverse history of the region. The reconstructed fort includes living quarters, trade rooms, blacksmith and carpenter shops, a tavern room, and a storage room filled with historic artifacts. The original site of the fort is now an archaeological site, offering the potential for further discoveries about its past.
The South Platte Valley Historical Park is located northwest of Fort Lupton, off Highway 85 at 2001 Historic Park Way. It is open on weekends only from May 1 to October 31. Visitors can explore the reconstructed fort, learn about the fur trade, and discover the stories of the people who lived and worked in this important frontier outpost.